Glass Nickel Pizza Co. serves a variety of specialty pizzas, salads, and sandwiches, focusing on fresh ingredients and a family-friendly dining experience.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
9
+
0%
0%
Franchise fee
?
$35,000
Investment
?
$943,000 - $1,709,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Glass Nickel Pizza Co.is a handcrafted pizza franchise that began in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1997. It was founded by Brian Glassel and Tim Nicholson, who opened the first location on Atwood Avenue.
The brand is headquartered in Madison, and its franchising operations are managed by GN Independents, Inc., incorporated in 2006. Known for its dedication to quality and fresh ingredients, the company has expanded to multiple locations throughout Wisconsin.
The franchise started offering opportunities to others in late 2006, with new stores opening in places like Green Bay and Brookfield. Glass Nickel Pizza Co. specializes in pizza, calzones, salads, sandwiches, and beverages, with signature menu items like The Thai Pie, The Ranch, and the Fetalicious.
The brand emphasizes variety and creativity, catering to both traditional and adventurous pizza lovers.
Glass Nickel differentiates itself through sustainability and a local-first mindset. It uses eco-friendly delivery vehicles powered by recycled fryer oil and hybrids, energy-efficient ovens, and LED lighting.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchise is
$943,000 - $1,709,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. offers 2 types of franchises:
Restaurant Type
Initial Investment
Carryout and Delivery Restaurant
$943,000 to $1,330,500
Dine-In Restaurant
$986,500 to $1,708,500
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. Dine-In Restaurant.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Real Estate/Rent
$10,000 – $25,000
Utility Deposits
$0 – $3,000
Leasehold Improvements
$250,000 – $500,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
$340,000 – $515,000
POS System
$40,000 – $65,000
Initial Inventory
$18,000 – $35,000
Insurance
$15,000 – $35,000
Signage
$10,000 – $30,000
Office Equipment & Supply
$15,500 – $37,500
Grand Opening or Pre-Opening
$0 – $8,000
Vehicle
$0 – $40,000
Training
$30,000 – $50,000
Uniforms
$2,500 – $5,000
Licenses & Permits
$500 – $5,000
Legal & Accounting
$15,000 – $20,000
Dues & Subscriptions
$0
Initial Payroll/Training Wages
$30,000 – $40,000
Additional Funds / Working Capital (3 months)
$175,000 – $300,000
Total
$986,500 – $1,708,500
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Glass Nickel Pizza Co. offers 2 types of franchises:
Restaurant Type
Initial Investment
Carryout and Delivery Restaurant
$943,000 to $1,330,500
Dine-In Restaurant
$986,500 to $1,708,500
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. Dine-In Restaurant.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Real Estate/Rent
$10,000 – $25,000
Utility Deposits
$0 – $3,000
Leasehold Improvements
$250,000 – $500,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
$340,000 – $515,000
POS System
$40,000 – $65,000
Initial Inventory
$18,000 – $35,000
Insurance
$15,000 – $35,000
Signage
$10,000 – $30,000
Office Equipment & Supply
$15,500 – $37,500
Grand Opening or Pre-Opening
$0 – $8,000
Vehicle
$0 – $40,000
Training
$30,000 – $50,000
Uniforms
$2,500 – $5,000
Licenses & Permits
$500 – $5,000
Legal & Accounting
$15,000 – $20,000
Dues & Subscriptions
$0
Initial Payroll/Training Wages
$30,000 – $40,000
Additional Funds / Working Capital (3 months)
$175,000 – $300,000
Total
$986,500 – $1,708,500
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Glass Nickel Pizza Co.'s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. had 9 total units in 2024, of which 9 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the royalty fee of
Glass Nickel Pizza Co.
?
The royalty fee for a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchise is 4.00%. In addition, you would have to pay the advertising (or national brand fund) fee of 4.00%.
What is the total investment of
Glass Nickel Pizza Co.
?
The initial investment required for a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchise is $943,000 - $1,709,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
What is the initial franchise fee of
Glass Nickel Pizza Co.
?
The initial franchise fee for a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchise is $35,000. This is typically paid upfront as part of the total initial investment, after signature of the Franchise Agreeement.
What is the average revenue (Average Unit Volume) of
Glass Nickel Pizza Co.
?
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. does not disclose the average unit volume (average revenue) in its FDD.
The average unit volume (average revenue) for a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchise is $0.
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. provides a structured training program for new franchisees to ensure consistent quality and operational excellence across all locations. The franchisor offers several components of training, designed to prepare franchisees for both day-to-day operations and long-term business success.
Initial Training Program: Franchisees and key personnel are required to attend and complete an initial training program provided by the franchisor. This training typically lasts up to four weeks and is held at an operating Glass Nickel Pizza Co. restaurant designated by the franchisor. It includes classroom instruction and hands-on learning covering menu preparation, customer service, sanitation, employee management, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
On-Site Opening Assistance: The franchisor provides on-site support at the franchisee’s location around the time of the grand opening. This includes guidance in kitchen operations, front-of-house procedures, and staff training to ensure a smooth launch.
Ongoing Training and Support: Glass Nickel Pizza Co. offers continued access to updated operational procedures and may provide refresher courses or additional training as needed. Franchisees are expected to maintain the standards taught during initial training and are encouraged to participate in ongoing development opportunities.
Territory Protection
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. does offer limited territory protection to its franchisees. The franchisor typically grants an exclusive territory defined in the Franchise Agreement, which prevents them from establishing or licensing another franchised or company-owned restaurant within that area.
This protected territory is generally based on population density or a specified geographic radius, and its exact size may vary depending on market conditions.
However, the franchisor may reserve certain rights even within a protected area. For example, they may retain the ability to sell products through non-traditional venues such as stadiums, airports, or online platforms.